Lauren Dawes's Blog, page 24

Indie Authors Down Under post-event wrap-up

It’s been a couple of weeks since the first ever Indie Authors Down Under event that was held on the Gold Coast on March 22nd. 
It was the first time that I’d ever been to an event like this, and I’m afraid to say that it will also probably be the last. After having a few weeks to digest everything that happened from the pre-promotion to the organisation of the actual event, I realised that this type of event is just not for me. I had a great time meeting those authors I’d chatted to online in the months leading up to IADU, and meeting all the fans who had either pre-ordered or asked specifically for my books to buy on the day.
And that is exactly what the event should have been about.
But for me, it simply wasn’t.
I spend months planning for this. I knew that flying wasn’t going to be an option for me, so I opted to drive up to the Gold Coast. I spent fifteen hours in a packed car filled with copies of my books and swag, so excited that I was able to attend this signing. I spent hundreds of dollars on getting paperbacks printed and shipped from the States. I spent hundreds on swag and swag bags and little things that I thought fans would absolutely love.
But in the end, it wasn’t really worth all that. Instead of feeling as if I was part of a special group of authors whole were doing something “revolutionary”, I felt as if I’d stepped back into my high school. I felt as if I shouldn’t have even been there at all. There was a clear divide between “us” and “them”.
The make-up of authors attending the event was responsible for that feeling. Instead of there being a nice mix of all genres, there was a clear division of romance and erotica writers and everybody else who doesn’t write romance and erotica. 
Essentially shunned, I never experienced any pre-promotion other than one post from one of the organisers on their Facebook page and a couple of blog posts with a series of questions. Six months of preparation, and all I got was one post on a social media platform that freely admits that it filters everything you see on your newsfeed and two blog posts? The actual event felt more like 6 hours of a literary popularity contest and self-esteem trampling.

 A girl could only take so much. I know I’m not the only author who feels this way. There were definitely others who experienced the same kind of treatment that I did. The whole organisation of the event also felt like it was stuck together with Blu-Tac rather than glue. I understand that it was the first time the organisers had ever run an event like that, and I hope that with the feedback I sent them post-event that they’ll make the 2015 event an even bigger success for those who found it there this year.
So, what did I learn from my first, and last, experience at an author convention? Don’t take yourself too seriously, and don’t spend ridiculous amounts of money on swag which will essentially go to waste. I still have a huge box sitting in my study filled with this swag. And yes it’s great to have, but it’s still expensive to send out to fans. I’ve also learned that you should check what the organisers are expecting. If they want a romance writers convention, then they should advertise it as such. Being in a room with people who love romance novels will not get you many sales.
I’ve also learned that there are other options out there. If you’re an author, don’t think that a signing is your only way of connecting with fans. Next year, (hopefully) I’ll be hitting up another event with urban fantasy author Kimberley Clark. We’ve learned from our mistakes with IADU and we definitely won’t be making them again.

Dark Desire Character Profile: Taer

For those of you who have read Dark Deceit, you'll already be familiar with Taer. Taer is a dark elf, and the sister of Adrian - who was brutally murdered by the guild master, Darrion. At the conclusion of Dark Deceit, her world have been left shattered. She was trading the dark waters of grief, clinging to her desperation for revenge, and in Dark Desire we see her journey to getting that.
Taer has been forced to grow up a lot quicker than she should have to, but that was the life of a Walker. Taken under Korvain's wing, she has to learn how to masters weaponry, battle tactics and how to leave her female sensitivities behind.
"She would never be seen as an innocent every again. She’d had her baptism in blood. She had crossed over to the other side and returned—bloodied and bruised—and looking at the world in a whole new way."
Her development as a character surprised even me. She turned out to be a whole lot stronger than I thought she'd be, and the ending really surprised me. I thought I had it all figured out, but once again, my characters have managed to surprise the hell out of me.
With the release planned for June, 2014, I hope you all enjoy Dark Desire. If you're a blogger and would be interested in reviewing before its release, feel free to email me through the contact tab on my website. To get a sneak peek at Taer, go to www.authorlaurendawes.com and click on 'news and events'

Signed paperbacks now selling on my website!

It's been a long time coming, but I've finally got an online store for my paperbacks! All copies will be signed and personalized with a message from me. At the moment, shipping is only within Australia as the costs are astronomical for anything more than that.  I have limited copies right now, but if things go well, I'll be expanding the numbers I order. Here's the link in case you're interested.

0.99c sale!

Sooooo, to celebrate me finishing the first draft of Dark Desire, and the first ever Indie Authors Down Under event, a whole group of us Aussie Indies are getting together to have a MASSIVE 0.99c sale of all our books!

Every single one of my titles will be 0.99c from (hopefully) tomorrow until Monday or Tuesday next week! So spread the word about this mega sale!

"Dark Deceit" FREE on Amazon Feb 12-16

"Dark Deceit" - book one in my Dark Series will be FREE on Amazon from the 12-16 of February.

Some of what people have said about "Dark Deceit":

"Dark Deceit, is a dark and fascinating take on Norse mythology. The gods have fallen, and they live among us . . . in all their brutal glory."

"I recommend this to those who love their myths in the modern world with plots and streaming attractions."

"The entire time I said myself “jackpot” because this book right here has everything your bookworm mind could want. You have mythology, drama, violence, mystery and romance, pretty much a story that will leave you wanting more!"



  http://tinyurl.com/ms5py5m

Reviews...

I just have to get something off my chest, and I don't mean to offend anyone with what I have to say, but it's been bothering me for a while now...
 
I love getting reviews - good, bad or just in the middle - but there is one thing that I really can't stand and that is when the reader completely misses the point of my book. For those of you who have read Dark Deceit, you'll know that it's about the Norse gods, and YES Odin and Loki do have a role to play in this story, but what really gets me is that people confuse the Marvel comics/movies with my characters.

Firstly, I have to say that my characters are NOT the Marvel characters. If you've ever done any reading about the Norse gods, you'll know that...
Loki is NOT Odin's son.Loki and Thor are NOT brothers.Odin and Loki's relationship is actually quite strange when it comes to the gods...and here's why....

Loki is the son of two giants and the blood-brother of Odin. He is the Trickster God almost by default, having tricked Odin into making them blood-brothers so he could therefore become a god himself.

Neither one of the Aesir (sky gods) nor the Vanir (old gods), he is the bridge that links the giants to the world of the Aesir and Vanir. So when you read Dark Deceit, try to keep an open mind. This is not, I repeat NOT a Marvel comic, and those of you whose sole knowledge on Norse mythology is based on a comic need to get better educated. 

There, I said it. Rant over... 

Indie Authors Down Under GC Event - pre-orders of my books

Hello fellow Junkies,

The year is marching on whether we want it to or not. Before you know it, it'll be March and the Indie Authors Down Under event on the Gold Coast will be underway. 

At the request of some of those attending the convention, I've put together a pre-order form for the event with my paperbacks.

Since I'll only be bringing 10 copies of each book, they may sell out quick, which would be amazing as I thought nobody would be coming to find me to buy books. 
 
If you are interested in getting your hands on a/all copies of my books, you can fill in this form and secure yourself your copy. Books will be priced at $15 each or 2 for $25.

Need held deciding which one to get? Here are the blurbs and covers of each of my books...
Half Blood Blurb (book #1): A FIGHT FOR THEIR LIVES
A battle for werewolf territory and rights has Rhett fighting for his life and for the survival of the pack. The last Half Blood --a half human, half vampire hybrid--has been found and Rhett has been chosen as her unlikely Guardian. The pack's survival hangs on her completing her transformation, but a Sicarii--a vampire assassin--is hunting her to ensure that never happens... A DARK SECRET REVEALED
Indigo's hard exterior is nothing compared to the dark secret she carries within her. Her haunted eyes alone tell of her struggle and desire to live. But what she doesn't know is that she is hard-wired for survival; the very blood in her veins and the legacy of her father demands it. But when her life takes a violent turn, her heritage and her fate may be the very thing to get her killed...

 Half Truths Blurb (book #2): HE NEEDS TO FIND THE KILLER
The Helheim pack is still reeling from the abduction of their alpha's mate. While Rhettbegins the search to get her back, Vaile is distracted by a series of brutal murders at the local Goth club which have all the hallmarks of a vampire killer. Left to put the bloody pieces of the puzzle back together, he can’t help but think there is some sort of connection between the two occurrences...SHE DEMANDS TO KNOW HIS SECRET
Larissa Grey has just been assigned to the service of Vaile Wolfe, an intimidating, dominating detective who scares people to get his way. When the case they're working starts getting strange, she demands answers from her partner but discovers only more questions. Will she be able to find the answers, or will Vaile prevent her from finding out the truth?
 Half Life Blurb (book #3):
HE WOULD DIE FOR HIS PACK
They call him the Butcher, and it's a nickname well deserved. With the death of Colton still fresh in Sabel's mind, he takes on the responsibility of the Right to take revenge on behalf of his fallen brother--an eye for an eye. That is until he's blindsided by the arrival of an unfamiliar female werewolf looking for Colton.SHE WOULD DIE FOR HIM
As more and more defiled bodies of wolves turn up, Sabel's need to solve the mystery of who is behind the mutilations is at war with another feeling. This new female has awakened something powerful, dark and unavoidable within him--something that threatens to ruin his reputation as a cold-blooded killer forever.

Can she tame the Helheim captain of the guard, or will he manage to push her away forever?
 Half Cast Blurb (book #4):
 SHE WOULD HAUNT HIM FOREVER
Alex D’Angelo. Cop. Hard ass. Newly Bitten werewolf.
His life has been turned upside down and inside out. He has been born into a new world where the beast inside of him threatens to take over his life. Forced to stay in a pack far from home, Alex dreams of returning to find the woman he has loved, who has haunted his dreams for well over a year.HE BRANDED HIMSELF OF HER SOUL
Saskia is nothing but a shell of her former self since she walked away from the human man she had fallen in love with. Now forced into a mating with another male, she barely gets through her days. But when the year anniversary of meeting Alex rolls around, she finds her heart aching for the future she never had.
An impossible meeting leads to their reunification, but pack politics and desires of the heart threaten to pull them apart forever. 
 Dark Deceit Blurb (Dark Series #1)

The time of the Aesir gods is over. Now they live amongst the humans in their bustling modern cities. Their brutal dominion over the gods and humans may have ended, but their actions have not been forgotten.
Korvain is feared like no other. His ruthlessness and cold heart are legendary, but when he is given the task of killing one of the most fabled goddesses of all time, he is left with an undeniable desire to make her his own. Failure in his task means only one thing: death. Will he follow his orders, or will he follow his heart?  Bryn’s whole world crumbled when she left Odin’s service to protect the other Valkyries. Now living with the humans, she is the only thing standing between them and total destruction. But her beliefs are about to be shaken to the core when she meets Korvain—a volatile, completely irresistible Mare who threatens to take away more than just her innocence…

Indie Authors Down Under - March 22nd 2014

Hello fellow Junkies,

For those of you who don't know, or quite possibly have been living under a rock for the last 6 months, I'm involved in the inaugural Indies Authors Down Under convention which is being held March 22nd this year on the Gold Coast.

I'm super excited about this event as I'll get to meet other authors, make some great new friends and speak to fans...well, at least that's the hope!

If you're in Australia (I ask because I have no idea how many people who read this blog are actually living in the same country as me) and would like to come, click on the logo at the top right of this post and it'll take you to the website where you can get your tickets.

General admission into the event is a measly $10.00, but if you'd like the full experience, you can opt for the VIP After Party Ticket which includes VIP entry into the after party, a full buffet dinner and a limited edition IADU t-shirt. 

The full list of attending authors and the menu can be found at:

www.indieauthorsdownunder.com 
I hope to see you all there!

An e-copy of "Dark Deceit" in exchange for a review...any takers?

Hello fellow Junkies,

So I'm looking/hoping/wishing/praying/begging/pleading to get some more reviews for the first book in my Dark Series some more review love. If you're unfamiliar with Dark Deceit, here's the book trailer and the blurb:

 
Blurb:  
 The time of the Aesir gods is over. Now they live amongst the humans in their bustling modern cities. Their brutal dominion over the gods and humans may have ended, but their actions have not been forgotten.

Korvain is feared like no other. His ruthlessness and cold heart are legendary, but when he is given the task of killing one of the most fabled goddesses of all time, he is left with an undeniable desire to make her his own. Failure in his task means only one thing: death. Will he follow his orders, or will he follow his heart? 
 Bryn’s whole world crumbled when she left Odin’s service to protect the other Valkyries. Now living with the humans, she is the only thing standing between them and total destruction. But her beliefs are about to be shaken to the core when she meets Korvain—a volatile, completely irresistible Mare who threatens to take away more than just her innocence…

Want to get your hands on a copy?
Click here for further details.
*Please note this is for Amazon Kindle copies only. I will only be giving away TEN copies in total. The first TEN to provide me with the necessary information will be sent a copy of Dark Deceit directly to their Kindle. Thanks
  
 

Incredibly late updates...

Hello fellow Junkies,

It's been so long since I've posted anything of real interest on here and I feel terrible about that. I'm not sure if you'd believe me if I said my life just wasn't that interesting, but it's true. Other than gearing up for the Indie Author Convention on March 22nd on the Gold Coast, not much has been happening.


I've been trying to find another print-on-demand service based in Australia as my proof copies of nearly all my books have come back either too dark or the contrast/colour balance has been waaaaay off. It's costing me a fair amount of money in redesigning and postage, plus I have about ten copies of all my books sitting on my bookshelf right now.

I've also taken the opportunity to 'modernize' my covers a little more, too. I've changed the font for the title and my name and I think they're looking pretty good. They should be hitting the blog and the website very, very soon, but in the mean time, here's the updated Half Blood cover...


I'm still in the process of fixing the others, but they're almost done.Umm, what else? Sales have been a little slow, and I think I know the reason for that. I've not been very active on promotion lately due to Christmas and my general writing funk. 
Thankfully that funk has since disappeared and I'm (trying) to churn out a couple of thousand words a dark on Dark Desire which is the second book in the Dark Series. I have no idea when it'll be ready, or if it ever will be. This series definitely takes its toll on me as I write it since there is so much research involved, plus an intricate history that I have to create that fits into the chronological timeline of the Vikings.
Oh! I've been busy designing and getting swag for this event in March too. Here are the designs for my magnets and my bookmarks. I'm still deciding whether I want to get some buttons made up too. Here's the design so I'll let you guys decide!

 


 I've got some news in regards to my books/life, too, but I can't say anything about that just yet as everything is still fluid and I won't know until the end of January really. I will keep you updated though!
If you have any comments/suggestions for me about what you'd like to see on my blog, feel free to leave a comment below!